So the other month I got a pair of the Rock Guide pants pretty discounted from an online site. The only problem: they are just a little small on me. I can zip and button them fine, but the tight pants look is not something I'm ever going to want in climbing wear. I'm currently getting ready to move out west, so I'm trying to scrounge up all the extra money I can (and get rid of all unneeded junk as well), so I'm wondering whether I should try to exchange the pants back for money in some way. But they are really nice pants at the same time and if I were just a little slimmer . . .

If losing some weight to fit into the pants is the choice you go with, you could try caloric restriction instead of more cardio. I'm sure there is some low hanging fruit in your diet that would be easy to eliminate to achieve a calorie deficit. Remember, you need a calorie deficit of 3500 calories to lose one pound. Many people make the mistake of thinking that they need to work out more in order to lose weight. During a three mile run you burn what, 250 calories max? Often times people reward themselves after working out and at best the calories lost during exercise are offset by the 'reward'. Take a good look at your diet regardless of how healthy you think it is.

So the other month I got a pair of the Rock Guide pants pretty discounted from an online site. The only problem: they are just a little small on me. I can zip and button them fine, but the tight pants look is not something I'm ever going to want in climbing wear. I'm currently getting ready to move out west, so I'm trying to scrounge up all the extra money I can (and get rid of all unneeded junk as well), so I'm wondering whether I should try to exchange the pants back for money in some way. But they are really nice pants at the same time and if I were just a little slimmer . . .

Anyway, what do y'all recommend?

If you wait just a little bit, the "muffin top" look will be back in style and you'll fit right in.

So the other month I got a pair of the Rock Guide pants pretty discounted from an online site. The only problem: they are just a little small on me. I can zip and button them fine, but the tight pants look is not something I'm ever going to want in climbing wear. I'm currently getting ready to move out west, so I'm trying to scrounge up all the extra money I can (and get rid of all unneeded junk as well), so I'm wondering whether I should try to exchange the pants back for money in some way. But they are really nice pants at the same time and if I were just a little slimmer . . .

Anyway, what do y'all recommend?

If you wait just a little bit, the "muffin top" look will be back in style and you'll fit right in.

Rude! There is no muffin top! That's what makes it a quandary: they're not hugely too tight, just a little bit.

So the other month I got a pair of the Rock Guide pants pretty discounted from an online site. The only problem: they are just a little small on me. I can zip and button them fine, but the tight pants look is not something I'm ever going to want in climbing wear. I'm currently getting ready to move out west, so I'm trying to scrounge up all the extra money I can (and get rid of all unneeded junk as well), so I'm wondering whether I should try to exchange the pants back for money in some way. But they are really nice pants at the same time and if I were just a little slimmer . . .

Anyway, what do y'all recommend?

If you wait just a little bit, the "muffin top" look will be back in style and you'll fit right in.

Rude! There is no muffin top! That's what makes it a quandary: they're not hugely too tight, just a little bit.

Rude! There is no muffin top! That's what makes it a quandary: they're not hugely too tight, just a little bit.

Damn, I meant to put a smiley face at the end of that sentence too.

billcoe_ wrote:

Haha -you replied, didn't you?

Seriously, if you are going on a climbing trip, take them, I always drop inches when I'm out. Last month in Yosemite I lost 8 lbs in a week and walking down from the column my new ExOfficio tough climbing pants which were about right back home were falling off me and trying to head for my ankles like a gang banger.

They are Patagonia, right? Just go to a Patagonia store for an exchange. If that doesn't work, then sell it.

Yeah, I like the idea of exchanging, but for one thing I didn't buy them from Patagonia and for another, I don't know if I could get an exchange of last season's version/color.

No harm in asking Patagonia.

True. Just browsing on the Patagonia website, it doesn't look like they even make the Rock Guide pants for women anymore . . . which is kind of a game changer.

Didn't they just change the name to the Simple Guide pants?

No, I think the Simple Guide are more alpine, whereas the Rock Guide are lighter/more summery? That's why I was confused they had the Simple Guide up but not Rock Guide right now.

I thought they only ever had three levels of pants. I use the Alpine guide for ice climbing, but I feel they're kinda thin for that. The next step down are the Simple Guide so I just assumed they were lighter weight.

The will of the majority (and of my best friend) has prevailed! I sent the pants back today. With my luck, I probably will lose the inches anyway . . . but my latest strategy is to scour thrift stores for old Patagonia. I found some awesome Patagonia hemp jeans at the local Goodwill which may be my new go-to climbing pants for outside.

Went to go see my son (lives in another town) while back. He was volunteering at a fundraiser and invited us to do the walk as he was working it. We raised an amazing shitload of scratch for old - poor folks, but the highlight (other than watching a whole gaggle of hot young ladies walk past 2 other unoccupied and bored workers waiting to take money give out whatever, to crowd into my sons busy line which cracked me up so much I started videoing it, then he saw me doing it and we both cracked up at each other) may have been that I walked right past a clothing store with a new looking patagonia coat on a rack marked $3.00. Turned out, the whole entire rack, with a lot of other name brand coats, was $3,00 as well. Woot. Good times.